Receiving telegraph instrument.



PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

C. R. UNDERHILL. RECEIVING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

I SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

FIG. I.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR MWAM No. 766,474. PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904. C. R. UNDERHILL. RECEIVING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1,1903

N0 MODEL. '7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FIG. 3.

INVENTOR PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

C. R. UNDERHILL. RECEIVING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

'7 SEBBTBSHBBT 3.

N0 MODEL.

FIEMEJ.

WITNESSES PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

C. R. UNDERHILL. RECEIVING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1,1903

7 SHBETSSHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

FIG. 7.

FIG. 5.

FIG 5.

WITNESSES:

PATENTED AUG. 2, 190.4.

C. R. UNDERHILL. RECEIVING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE I 1903.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

N0 MODEL.

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

No. 766,474. PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904. G. R. UNDERHILL. RECEIVING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 190a.

no MODEL. 7 sums-sum a.

FIG l7. FIE. IE1.

FIE. El.

Fill-LEE. FIE-E3. F'IE.E4. FIE.E5.

WITNESSES: INVENTQR No. 766,474. PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

0. R. UNDBRHILL. RECEIVING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 7SHEBTS-SHEET 7.

FIE. E5.

183 O 182 f A wimcooeo 6 an we 11 Z 93);; Ellfozncn KM- W I s M UNITED STATES Patented August 2, 1904.

ATENT OFFICE.

RECEIVING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,474, dated August 2, 1904.

Application filed June 1, 1903, Serial No, 159,409. No model.)

To all 'lL'Ytu/It it may concern:

Be it known that I, GHARL as R. UNDER HILL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Receiving Telegraph Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a receiving telegraph instrument; and its main object is to provide an instrument by means of which the code characters of a telegraph-code may be translated into other characters,and especially into ordinary letters, figures, &c., of a language.

A further object of the invention is to record or print the characters into which the code-signals are translated, and hence to provide an instrument capable of receiving telegraphic matter and converting it into messages recorded in the form of words and sentences of any desired language.

The principal feature which distinguishes my improved receiving instrument from all other telegraph instruments, whether of the ordinary type or of that class known as printing-telOgraph instruments, is a translating-receiver controlled by combinations of signals representing the respective code characters of a telegraphic code and controlling the selection of devices representing the characters of ordinary language, these devices being selected by the instrument when the respective groups of signals corresponding to their code characters are received by the instrument. The devices representing the characters into which the code-signals are to be translated will preferably be types representing the usual letters, figures, &c., and these types constitute character-indicating or character-recording devices, each one of which is represented by a particular combination of telegraphic code-signals and is brought into operation only when its particular combination of code-signals is received.

In most telegraph systems in which Morse or other code characters are converted into language and recorded as letters, words, and sentences the conversion of the message from one system into the other is usually effected l by assigning a predetermined value in terms of makes and breaks of the circuit to each letter, figure. &c., and selecting such letters and figures in accordance with the transfer of the proper numbers of makes and breaks of the circuit by a make-and-break wheel. The present invention is distinguished from these in many ways, butch iefly by reason of the fact that translation of the message is accomplished wholly by the receiving instrument and by the further fact that the selection of each letter, figure, or other character of the language into which the telegraphic signals are to be converted is determined by the number of signal components of each code character, by the value of each such component, and by the position of each component with respect to the others of its code character. The operation of the receiving instrument is therefore dependent upon the analysis of the telegraphic code characters and the conversion of the components or signals of these code characters, they being preferably converted into representative movements the sum of which for any code character will represent and will control the selection of a corresponding character of the language into which the telegraphic code characters are to be translated.

As is well known, most of the characters of the Morse and other telegraph codes are composed of combinations of two electric signals separated by breaks in the circuit, these two signals being of different values and constituting what are known as dot and dash signals, which differ from each other merely with respect to the length of time during which the current flows, the dash being made by keeping th ecircuit closed a greater length of time than when a dot-signal is to be sent. The time constants of these two signals or signal components of the code characters are therefore different. This ditference in the signal values of the dots and dashes of the majority of the characters of a telegraph-code may be utilized to control different operations correspoiuling, respectively, to said dots and dashes, and those code characters which are represented by or embody a signal or signals differing in value----that is, in which the time signals may be either a dot or a dash.

constant is difiierent from either the dot or the dashmay also be converted into the proper character or characters of another system by making provision for the control of another operation or operations by such signal or signals of greater length than a dot or a dash. Thus the electrical signals forming components of any code character may be utilized to control, selectively, in accordancetuting the subject-matter of this invention for converting the characters of a telegraph-code into the symbols of language is dependent upon the application of these two principles. Said instrument therefore constitutes a means for analyzing the telegraphic-code characters and for combining synthetically representatives of the components into which the code characters are resolved in such amanner that each particular combination of these'representatives, whether they be movements or other functions, will control the selection of a character in the second system or language corresponding to the particular combination of signals controlling said combination of representative functions or movements.

In the Morse code, for example, the greatest number of electrical signals found in any single code character is six, and each of these It is essential, therefore, that the dot and dash for any one of these six positions control representative functions or movements, and it is also desirable that the sum of the values of the functions or movements representing a dot and a dash of any one of these six positions be different from the sum of such functions or movements for each of the other five positions The values assigned to these dot and dash signals may be varied within wide limits, but they are preferably as follows: for

the first period, one for the dot and sixteen for the dash; for the second period, two for the dot and twelve for the dash; for the third period, one for the dot and seventeen for the dash; for the fourth period, three for the dot and seventeen for the dash; for the fifth period, four for the dot and eight for the dash, and for the sixth period, one for the dot. As in the Morse code, there is no dash in the sixth period, no value is assigned to the dash for such period. The value of any code character in the Morse code may therefore be deterand dash in each period or position of the code character 1 term a group of signals or signal components, and means are provided for selecting a corresponding group of representative functions or elements and also for selecting the particular representative component of each representative group according as the signal sent is a dot or adash. The selection of the representative group is preferably determined by a group-selector having a traveling or step-by-step movement, the subdivisions or steps of which movement correspond to the periods or positions of the signals of the code character, and this groupselector will be returned to its normal or zero position after the reception of all the signals of a code character in order that it may be in position to operate properly when the signals of the next code character are received. This group-selector should of course be returned to such normal or Zero position after the reception of each code character'regardless of the number of signals constituting such code character, and hence regardless of the number of steps such selector has advanced. Hence the traveling movement of this group-selector from its Zero position may be a variable one, consisting of any number of steps from one to the maximum, which is in this case six, at the end of which step or steps representing the number of signal components of the code character the group-selector will always be returned to such normal position.

In connection with the group-selector just described it is necessary to provide component-selecting means for choosing that one of the two representative components of a group ofrepresentative components or elements which corresponds to the signal received that is to say, the representative component selected in any group should correspond to the dot or dash signal located in the period or position corresponding to that group of representative components or elements. As each representative component so selected has a different numerical value, it will be evident that the'selection of any letter, figure, or other language character may be readily controlled instrument the selection of the representative components corresponding to the dot and dash signals is controlled by the time constants of these electrical signals,and in an analgous manner the selection of the miscellaneous character or characters embodying signal components having a time constant of different value from that of the dot or the dash may be controlled by such other time constant. In the Morse code there are four different electrical signals having different time constants, the signal for the letter L being a longer make of the circuit than that representing the dash. while the signal representing the cipher O) has a longer time constant than that for the letter L? Hence in my instrument in order to control the selection of all language characters 1 prol vide selecting means having at least four functions or movements corresponding, respectively. to and controlled, respectively, by the four different time constants of the four electrical signal components into which all Morse characters may be resolved.

The analysis of the code characters of a telegraphic code into their electrical signal components and the mode of selecting and combining representative components or elements synthetically for the purpose of selecting the language character corresponding to each code character received have now been described. In order that a telegraphic message may be properly translated into correspondinglanguage characters, words, and sentences, it is important also to consider the non-electrical components of the code characters that is, the breaks in the circuit between the dots. dashes, &C.--and to consider the relative values of these breaks between the electrical components of the code characters and of the breaks between successive code characters and longer breaks representing the spaces between words, &c. In order to analyze all of the components of a telegraphic message, 1 therefore provide controlling orselecting means governed by breaks of different values-thatis.bybreaksofdifferentlengths and the lengths or time constants of these breaks are employed to govern the selection of such space or other device as it may be necessary to operate in order properly to separate letters, words, &c. As a break in the circuit necessarily follows every make of the same, the selecting means controlled by said makes and breaks has two opposite or reciprocal functions, or rather two sets of opposite or reciprocal functions, one function being the con- 5 trol or selection of one or more devices governed by the makes of the circuit and by the time constants of such makes, and the other being the control or selection of one or more devices governed by the breaks in the circuit a and by the time constants of such breaks, so 1 that every function or operation necessary to the analysis of a telegraphic message and to i the dash.

the conversion of it into terms of language is governed by some one of these reciprocal and i differential controlling or selecting functions of a translating-receiver operable by every combination of signals capable of being tele graphically transmitted to represent a message.

Other features of my invention not hereinbefore described, but which will be hereinafter referred to, are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which--- Figure 1 is a sectional plan of an analyzing mechanism of a receiving telegraph instrume nt embodying my invention. the section being taken in line 1 1, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of said analyzing mechanism with parts broken away. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of' said analyzing mechanism and a portion of the combining or adding mechanism as viewed from the motor end of the instrument with the motor and some other parts removed and parts broken away to show the parts clearly. Fig. 4: is a plan of the upper portion of the instrument. showing the group-selector. the combining or adding mechanism, and the typeselecting devices, the lower portion of the analyzing mechanism and certain other parts being removed for the sake of clearness. Fig. 5 is an end elevation viewed from the left in Fig. 4: and slightly enlarged of the recording or printing mechanism and the spacing and other devices cooperative therewith. Fig. 6 is a detail enlarged to twice the natural size, illustrating in end elevation certain elements of the combining or adding mechanism in position for selecting a dot component. Fig. 7 is a detail on the same scale illustrating the same and other parts in plan in positions corresponding to those shown in Fig. 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are details corresponding to Figs. 6 and T and illustrate the positions of the parts for selecting a dash component. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are respectively a left end, a front, and a right end elevation illustrating on the same enlarged scale the group-selector, the groups of character-selectingcomponents, and the carrier for said components. Figs. 13 and 14: are enlarged details of a feed device complementary to that which operates the component-carrier. Figs. 15 and 16 are enlarged details of the group-selector. Figs. 17 and 18 are respectively front and end elevations illustratingon the same enlarged scale the differential componcnt-selectors and coupling means for bringing them selectively into action. Figs. 19, 20, and 21 are enlarged details of the component-selector representing the dot and one element of the coupling means associated therewith. Figs. 22 and 23 are corresponding views of the complementary coupling member to that shown in Figs. 19 to 21, inclusive. Figs. 2% and 25 are similar details of the component-selector representing Fig. 26 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the various electrical elements of the instrument and the selecting and controlling means therefor.

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Similar characters designate like parts in the diiferent figures of the drawings.

The receivingtelegraph instrument forming the subject-matter of this invention embodies two main mechanisms, one of which operates as a translating-receiver and is governed by the signals received, while the other consists of a plurality of character indicating or recording devices, usually in the form of-a set of types, assembled about the periphery of a type-wheel. The instrument as a whole comprises a number of subordinate mechanisms or devices each having to perform one or more of the analyzing or combining functions of the instrument. Most of the movements of the different operative parts of the instrument are governed by driving means normally continuously operative, the power requisite for operating the parts being preferably obtained from a small-series electric motor, such as 2, having its armature-shaft cletachably connected with the main drivingshaft 3 by means of a coupling-box 4. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) The main element of the controlling or selecting means for analyzing the signals received by the instrument is in this case an electromagnet 5, mounted on the baseplate 6. The armature 7 of this electromagnet has the usual to-and-fro movement. and the two oscillatory movements of this armature, one of which is governed, of course, by the energization and the other by the denergizationof the magnet, are utilized to determine the selection of a pair of reciprocally-operative elements governed, respectively, by the makes and breaks in the circuit to said electromagnet and controlling the movements of those parts which have functions representative of such makes and breaks and of the lengths or time constants thereof. In the preferred construction the shaft 3 is a continuously-rotative driver, and its partial rotations are transmitted to the reciprocally-operative elements just mentioned. These elements may be any suitable for the purpose; but the elements governed directly by the armature 7 preferably constitute coupling means having the usual alternating or reciprocal coupling functions, a pair of coupling members 9 and being shiftable into and out of engagement with a central coupling member 8. secured to the shaft 11. All of these coupling elements may be mounted on a continuouslyrotative shaft 11, journaled at its ends, as is the shaft 3, in a pair of uprights 12 and 13, fastened to the base-plate 6. The intermediate clutch member 8 is fastened directly to this shaft, while the other two members 9 and 10 are loosely mounted thereon and are driven alternately by the member 8.

The driving connections between the main driver 3 and the shaft 11, carrying these reciprocally-operative coupling elements, are clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. As

illustrated, they comprise a gear-train connecting the shafts 3 and 11 for rotating the latter continuously and two other gear-trains for alternately operating a pair of elements which determine the extent of feed of a pair of feed devices which determine the feed movements of the component-selectors, these selectors governing in turn the combination or addition of the components representative of the dots and dashes of the code characters, and hence representative of the language characters to be indicated and printed. The first gear-train embodies a pinion 14, secured to the shaft 3 and meshing with a spur-gear 15, mounted on a stud 16 and driving another pinion 17, in mesh with the spur-gear 18, secured to the shaft 11. The other two geartrains connect an intermediate shaft 20 with another shaft 21, carrying the feed devices just mentioned, these feed devices being also preferably rotary. In order to operate the feed devices at a uniform rate of speed and prevent breaking of any of these parts, a frictional driving connection is preferably maintained between the shaft 20 and the feed devices or gears 22 and 23. The shaft 20 has at one end thereof (see Fig. 4) a resistance member, such as a nut 24, screwed as far onto the threaded portion 25 of the shaft 20 as possible, and this nut'has a metallic washer 26 fixedly secured thereto and connected to one end of a rather strong helical spring 27, encircling the shaft 20, and connected at its other end to another metallic washer 28, rotatable with the shaft 20, but having a slight movement longitudinally thereof. The spring '27 presses this washer into engagement .with one of a pair of leather washers for frictionallycoupling a spur-pinion 30 to the shaft 20 by means of a pair of leather or similar washers 31 cooperating with another metallic Washer 32, fast to said shaft. This spur-pinion 30 is continuously driven by the spurgear 15, and hence tends to rotate continuously the shaft 20. The shaft 20 also has thereon three fixed collars 35,- 36, and 37, separated by difierent intervals, and between each pair of washers is located another driving-pinion having a relatively long hub portion extending therefrom. These gear-pinions are designated, respectively, by 38 and 39 and their hub portions by 40 and 41. Between each of the gears 38 and 39 and the washer 36 is a helical spring, these springs being designated, respectively, by 42 and 43 and surrounding the hub portions 40 and 41 of said gears. The gear-wheels 22 and 23 mesh, respectively, directly with the pinions 38 and 39 and obviously are adapted to be driven thereby. These feed devices are intended to operate reciprocally that is to say, when one of them is rotating the other is held fastand the reciprocal movements of these feed devices are also preferably controlled by the same electromagnet 5 that brings the coupling elements 9 and 10 reciprocally into action. This will be clear ITO by referring to Figs. 1, 3, and J, from which it will be seen that the armature T of the electromagnet is secured to a vertical spindle 45, journaled in suitable bearings and also having in h'xed relation therewith a duplex shiftinglever T6 for shifting the coupling members 9 and 10 simultaneously, so as to bring them alternately into engagement with the central coupling member 8. Near its upper end the spindle has secured thereto an escapement 47 for permitting the feed-wheels .22 and 23 to turn alternately, the wheel 23 being held fast by the escapement and the wheel being permitted to rotate when the electromagnet 5 is energized and the coupling member 10 clutches to the central member 8. turn movements of the coupling-lever 46 and the escapement t? are of course controlled by a suitable retracting-spring 48, secured to the post it).

The re- I In this construction the gear-wheel 23 forms part of a carrier supporting a plurality of components or groups of components It also constitutes one element of the grou1')-selecting means hereinbefore mentioned.

Referring particularly to Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive. it will be seen that the gear-wheel 23 has secured thereto a segment 50, supporting all of the character-selecting components before referred to, and that these components are divided into six groups, each group with the exception of one containing two components and the components of each group being mounted in different angular positions about the shaft 21. These components are preferably long and short stops or pins representative of the desired feedvaluessuch, for example, as those which 1 have hereinbeforc stated may be assigned to them the stops of the first group being designated, respectively. by 51 and those of the second group by 53 and 5%, those of the third group by 55 and 56, those of the fourth group by 57 and 58, those of the fifth group by 59 and 60, and that of the sixth group by 61. The componentcarrier and all of the parts associated directly therewith are normally mounted to have intermittent rotary movements about the shaft 21 and axially reciprocatory movements lengthwise of the shaft. These reciprocatory and rotary movements of the carrier 50 determine the selection of the groups according the carrier is advanced step by step from one position to another along said shaft and also represent the movement of the selected component in each group mounted on the carrier. In order that the pinion 39 and the carrier 23 may remain rotatively connected regardless of the group selected, one of these elements, preferably the pinion, has a toothface long enough to control the six stages of the controlling movement of the means for selecting the groups and the components thereof. ()ne of the dogs :LT' and *7 of the escapement at? also has a face long enough to cooperate with the spur-gear 23 in all of its groupselecting positions. The subdivisions or steps and the traveling movements of the groupselector are determined in this case by a selector proper. (Clearly illustrated in detail in Figs. 11, 15, and 1c.) in the form shown this selector is a sleeve 65, mounted to reciprocate along the shaft 21 and held against rotation by the walls of the guide-slot 66, cooperative with a suitable guide. At diametrically opposite points in the periphery of the sleeve toothed racks, preferably two in number and designated by 67 and 68, are shown, each of these racks containing seven rack-teeth or one more than the groups of components to be selected. At one end thereof the sleeve has the socket 69 of a couplingbox and four coupling-pins 7O projecting in this construction inwardly into a groove 71 in thecomplementarymember 72 of the coupling-box. This connection therefore compels the component-carrier and its components to travel lengthwise of the shaft 21, while at the same time permittingsaid carrier and components to have intermittent feed or rotary movements relative to the sleeve 65. The step-by-step movement of the sleeve 65 may be effected by means of an electromagnetically-operated pawl T3, which in this case is operated by an electromagnet H and is preferably controlled by a local circuit, which is made when the main circuit to the telegraph instrument is broken. The pawl 73 is of the by-pass or safety type and is normally pressed toward the teeth of the rack 67 by a light spring 74 on a pivoted armature 75. This pawl has a tail-piece 73'. which coacts with a stop, such as the stop-pin 73, to shift the pawl out of engagement with the teeth of the rack after each step movement of the rack. \Vhen the electromagnet 74 is energized, the spring Ti instantly presses the pawl into engagement with the adjacent tooth of the rack and the continued movement of the armature 75 causes the pawl to move the rack one step in opposition to the force of the spring 65. The breaking of the local circuit through the electromagnet 7 t results in the return of the pivoted armature 75 by the spring 76. A releasing-pawl is shown at 77 for the purpose of permitting the sleeve 65 to return to its normal or zero position after the reception of a group of electrical signals representing a code character. This pawl is pivoted in a suitable manner and is operated by an electromagnet TS, which is controlled by the time constant of a break in the circuit to the receiving instrument longer than the breaks between the signal componcnts of the respective code characters. The spring 78 normally holds the pawl 77 in engagement with the teeth of the rack 68 to prevent return movement of the sleeve.

' clearly shown.

- After a group-selector has been shifted axially of the shaft 21 to the desired group-selecting position, component-selecting means, preferably a pair of component-selectors,

' such as the stop-arms 80 and 81, may be op vices for determining the selection of the com-- ponents 51 to 61, inclusive, and in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, the operation of these parts is One of these arms, in this case the arm 81, representing the selection of a component corresponding to the dash, is secured directly to the shaft 21 and is some.

what shorter than the arm 80 in order that it may not come into engagement with the shorter of the two'components or stops in any group. The arm 80 is preferably in the plane of rotation of the'arm 81 and is representative of the dot in each period of a code character and coacts with the longer stops projecting inwardly from the carrier 50. At the initial end of the carrier or segment a stop-face, such as 82, (see Figs. 6 and 8,) determines the initial or zero position of the two stop-arms and 81, the Zero-point being in the common plane of the forward faces of these stop-arms. As the shaft 21 is in this case the driven member, which directly controls the selection of the respective characters or types to be recorded, it will be evident that the arm 81 has an invariable movement in unison therewith. The arm 80, however, is so mounted that it is capable of having a relative rotary movement with respect to that of said shaft. this arm 80 is secured, as by brazing'and pinning, (see Figs. 18 and 21, particularly,) to a sleeve mounted on the shaft 21 and adapted to be coupled thereto and uncoupled therefrom, as required. This sleeve preferably constitutes one of a pair of complementary coupling members and may be of the type shown at 83. The complementary clutch member is preferably of the type indicated at 84*that is tosay, it is also a sleeve mounted on the shaft 21but its operation is different from that of the coupling member 83. The member 84, which is the controlling element of the clutch, has a slot 85 therein cooperating with a pin 86 in such a manner that said clutch member always rotates in unison with the shaft 21, but has a reciprocatory movement axially thereof for the purpose of engaging and disengaging the complementary coupling or clutching element 83. The element 83 of the clutch has no movement axially of the shaft 21,,(see Fig. 17,) but is so constructed as to have a partial rotation In the preferred construction.

through an arc of about one hundred and eighty degrees when released by the coupling member 8 L. This rotary movement of the member 83 is determined bya peripheral slot or cut-away portion 87, extending entirely through about one-half of the member 83, and the end walls of this slot constitute stopwalls for limiting the movement of said coupling member, the sleeve being stopped in either one of its two positions by a pin 88, which, it will be evident, also prevents axial movement of the sleeve. At the inner end thereof the sleeve 83 has a coupling recess or groove 89, which cooperates with a coupling-tongue 90, projecting from the adjacent inner end of the complementary couplingsleeve 84:, and when the tongue is in the groove 89 it will be evident that the two component selectors or arms 80 and 81 will move in unison with the shaft 21. The inner end of the sleeve 83 is cut away to forma face 91, parallel with the extreme end of the sleeve, and the movement of the tongue 90 necessary to disengage itself from the coupling recess 89,is but atrifie greater than the distance from the back wall of said recess 89 to the wall 91. as will be evident by referring to Fig. 17. l/Vhen the sleeve 83 is uncoupled, as shown in this figure, the arm 80 is free and will have moved into contact with the stop-pin 61, (see.

Fig. 8,) while the shaft 21 turnsin the direction indicated in said view and carries the short com ponent-selector 81 into engagement with one of the long stop-pins on the carrier, and as this movement of the short stop-arm 81 and its shaft may continue through an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees or more before the pin 88 strikes the lower stop-wall of the groove 87 (seen in Fig. 17) it will be clear that the arm 80 cannot interfere with the proper operation of the stop-arm 81 and that said arm will at the proper moment come into engagement with and be stopped by the particular'long stop-pin in that group of selecting components or pins opposite which the component-selectors 80 and 81 are at the time. On the stopping of the feed of the wheel 22, and hence of the shaft 21, by either of the arms 80 or 81 coming in contact with a stoppin on the carrier the escapement operates to engage and lock said wheel 22 and release the other wheel, 23, whereupon said wheel 23 and its carrier will follow up the movement of the wheel 22, travel through an are equal to that traversed by the preceding movement of the wheel 22, and will be stopped by the engagement ofthe long stop-arm 80 with the short stop-arm 81, which is held at such time in a fixed position by the shaft 21, this partial rotation of the wheel 23 serving to return the coupling member 83 to a position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 17, when the tongue 90 will slip back into the recess 89, and thus lock the long arm 80 to the shaft 21 again, the actual movement of the arm 80 being eflected by the stop 82, which moving into engagement with the back of the stop-arm always carries said stop-arm with it when the gear-wheel 23 is released to follow up a movement of the wheel The shifting of the coupling member 8% away from its normal position, in which it is coupled to the complementary member 83, may be effected in any desired manner, but preferably by a shifting-lever, such as 92, one end of which works in the slot 93 and which is preferably held in its coupled position by means of a spring, such as 9*, and is operated in the other direction to release the coupling member 83 by means of an eleetromagnet 05, controlled by the dash-signals of the code characters received by the instrument. 'hen the dot-signal is received, however, this magnet is not operated. As the different dot and dash signals of the respective periods from the first to the sixth are received the wheel 22 will first he turned a distance representative of the particular character-selecting component represented by the electrical signal received, and said wheel will then be stopped and the wheel 23 will have an equal movement following up that of the wheel 22 in order to permit the wheel 22 to be free to turn again when another character-selecting component is brought into action. Thus the wheel 22 advances by successive partial rotations representative of the electrical signal components of the code characters received until the last partial movement representing the last signal component is printed, when the wheel will have added a series of values the total of which will represent and determine the location at the printing-point of the language. character corresponding to the code character received. Provision must of course be made for returning each language character after its selection and after printing to its original position.

\Vhile the character-selecting means just described may be caused to select indicating or recording devices illustrating languagei characters organized in any well-known manner, l have shown herein a plurality of these characters or types disposed about the periphery of a type-wheel 100, which is normally coupled to the shaft 21, but is released after printing in order that it may return to a zero position and cooperate properly with the selecting mechanism when the next series of electrical signals is received. In this case said type-wheel has a hub 101 journaled in the end plate 102 of the instrumentand formed at its inner end with coupling-teeth 103, which cooperate with a complementary coupling member 10%, mounted on the shaft 21 and held against rotation by a stop pin or screw 105, but free to move axially on said shaft a distance represented by the slot 106. This coupling member 10a is peripherally of a shifting-lever 108, controlled by a spring 109 and an electromagnet 110. When said electromagnet is energized, the type-wheel is released by the withdrawal of the coupling member 101 therefrom and is free to return to its zero position. This position in the present case is determined by a stop 111 on the end plate 102, against which stop a stop arm 112 on the type-wheel strikes, when a return movementis imparted to said wheel. This return movementmay be effected advantageously by a coiled spring 113, one end of which is fastened to the plate 102 and the other end of which is secured to the back wall of a groove in the hub in which the spring is coiled, as shown in Fig. 1.

The devices hereinbefore described are controlled solely by the ordinary dot and dash components of a telegraphic code that is, by signal components of two values. Certain characters, however, are governed by an electrical signal or signals of greater length than the dot or the dash, and these miscellaneous electrical signals having values or time constants greater than the dot or the dash will preferably control the language characters represented thereby through separate means from thatpreviously described. The selection of these few characters may be accomplished in many ways, but the means shown herein will suffice for the purpose. The letter L and the cipher 0 are the only characters in common use in the Morse code that are represented by electrical signals of greater length than a dot or a dash, and the L and 0 types are mounted herein on a lever pivoted on the extended end of the shaft 21, so that the types will more in the same plane as those of the type-w heel 100. This lever is designated 115 and has in connection therewitha ratchetsegment 116, which cooperates with a stoppawl 11T,spring-pressed,adj ustable in position by an adj Listing-screw 118, and releasable from the ratchet-wheel by an electromagnet 119. In this construction a spring normally holds the lever 115 and its types L ant 0 away from the printing-point, and the lever has two different movements, controlled, respectively, bythe differential action of a compound solenoid 121, mounted on the end plate 102 and having its coils so connected as to shift the first character on the lever 115 to the printing position when the electrical signal having a value or time constant next in order above that of the dash is received, while the second character on the lever 115 is brought to the printing-point when the signal component having the highest value in the Morse code is received. Half of the coils of the solenoid are energized, preferably, for the selection of the lirst of these two characters, and all of the coils when the second character is to be recorded.

The type-wheel 100 and the types on the grooved, as at 107, and is operated by means I lever 115 may be inked in any suitable maniler, ink-rolls and 126 being shown for the former and an inking-pad 127 for the latter. Impression may be effected by bringing a swinging platen, such as 128, into ongagement with the type, which is located at the printing-point when said platen is operated. This platen is pivoted at 129 at asuitable point on the frame, and at its upper end passes through and works in an opening in the end plate 102. (See Fig. 5.) At its lower end it is connected to the armature 131 of the electromagnet 132, by which its working movement is effected. The advance of this platen 128 toward the printing-point and into engagement with the selected type also serves to indicate the letter-space feed of a paperfeeding device, which may be of any suitable type. The paper on which the characters are to be printed is not illustrated herein, but will pass from a suitable reel to the space between the type-wheel and the platen and through a pair of feed-rolls 133 and 134, by which it will be advanced. A ratchet-wheel 135 at one end of the feed-roll 134 controls the feed movements of this paper, and its operation is preferably controlled by a differential feed mechanism which operates to turn the feed-roll 134 one step after each letter and two or more steps after each word in order to effect the proper letter-spacing and wordspacing movements. The letter-spacing is here accomplished by the platen, a pivoted lever being shown at 136, which is so operated by a spring 137 as to follow the platen toward the printing-point and draw back a feedpawl 138 to indicate the feed on the working stroke of the platen, while the actual feed movement is accomplished by the platen on its return movement. The pawl 138 is mounted on a rock-arm 139, pivotally connected to said lever 136, and another similar rock-arm,

-pawl and lever, and spring (designated by 140, 141, 142, and 143) determine the wordspace movement of the feed-rolls, the indication of the feed for Word-spacing being deter mined by an electromagnet 144. both of these spacing movements are controlled by the time constants of breaks in the circuit to the instrument, it being understood that in telegraphic messages a longer space is left between code characters than'between electrical signal components of such characters and that still greater space is left to indicate the space between words. The extreme left-hand end of the shaft 21,. adjacent tothe various parts just described, is supported by. and'has a bearing in a yoke 145, fastened to the end plate 102.

It has been hereinbefore stated that the coupling members 9 and 10 are alternately engaged with and disengaged from the continuously-rotative central coupling element 8, and these two members 9 and 10 constitute the principal means for analyzing the code characters received by the instrument and for selecting for operation various devices representing the different values or time constants of the different makes and breaks of the circuit to said instrument. These coupling members 9 and 10 are preferably provided with long hubs, which are journaled in and reciprocate in the direction of their axes with a rectangular frame 150, the shifting of which is governed by the shifting-lever 46, before described. Mounted on these hubs and preferably frictionally connected therewith so as to turn normally with their respective coupling elements are complementary reciprocallyoperative selectors, preferably in the form of automatic electrical controlling-switches 151 and 152, these switches, however, being preferably so connected with the elements 9 and 10 as to yield when an abnormal movement of the corresponding coupling element occurs. These selectors or controlling-switches are normally held in the position shown at the left in Fig. 2 when messages are not being sent, each switch being normally drawn down by a spring, such as 153 or 154, havinga suitable connection with the switch, in this case a sliding connection to compensate for the axial reciprocating movements of theswitches.

Near their ends the arms 151 and 152 carry brushes 155 and 156, which cooperate alternately with two series of electrical contacts, one series of which is carried by a segment 157 and the other by a segment 158, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) the manner in which the respective contacts are arranged in each segment being illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 26. The limit of the upward movements of the switches 151 and 152 is determined in this case by a pair of long stops 160 and 161 in fixed relation with the segments at the upper ends thereof.

Whether the device to be selectively operated by the make and break components of the message received is governed by a make or a break in the circuit is determined by the electromagnet 5, which shifts one or the other of the clutch elements 9 and 10 into engagement with the central member 8 and at the same time carries the corresponding contactbrush into engagement with the face of the segment, at the same time carrying the other brush away from its segment. Which one of the devices controlled by a make or a break is to be operated is determined by the length of the make or break of the circuit. The switch-arm 152 and the contacts on the segment 158 are controlled by makes in the circuit,while the arm 151 and the contacts on the segment 157 are governed by the breaks.

Referring now to Fig. 26, it will be seen that the main electromagnet 5 is operated from a source of energy or battery 189, the circuit being made or broken across the terminals and 191 by means of a main-line relay or by the sending-key or other device for making and breaking the circuit. The

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source of energy or battery for controlling and operating the main electromagnet 5 may be in the main-line circuit, but is preferably located as just described. It will also be seen that each segment is divided into tive main parts, the tirst section of the segment 158 being blank. or covered with insulation. as indicated at 162, while the remainder of the segment traversed by the arm 152 is divided into four contacts or contact-sections 163, 161, 165, and 166, insulated from one another. The segment 157 is divided into live sections or contacts insulated from one another and designated, respectively, by 167, 168, 169, 170, and 171. According as themake or break of the circuit is shorter or longer the switcharm controlled thereby will travel through a shorter or longer are corresponding substantially to the time constant of the make or break in the circuit. The section 162 is blank, because the shortest make of the circuit may operate directly upon the device controlled thereby without regard to selecting devices; but all other signals difi'ering therefrom must be controlled by different contacts on the segments. It the signal is a make representing a dash, the switch 152 moves through an are approximately twice as great as when a dot is received, and hence reaches the contact 163 and closes a circuit through switch 152, contact-brush 156, contact 163, conductor 182, electromagnct 95, (which operates to release the sleeve 83 and permit the componentselector 81, representing the dash, to move away from the selector 80, which represents the dot,) the circuit from this point being through the conductor 183 and conductor 184: to the lever of an automatic switch 186 (which switch will be hereinafter described) for breaking all local circuits (except that of the main electromagnet 5) from a source of energy or battery 189, the circuit from this point being by way of switch-point 185, conductors 302 and 300 to the source of energy 189, and conductors 301 and 303 to switch 152.

\Vhen the letter L is to be selected, the switch 152 moves a greater distance and the brush 156 engages the contact 16st, from which point the circuit is through conductor 192 to solenoid 121, one-half of the coils of which are energized, the return-circuitbeing by way of conductors 183 and 181 and the other devices just described. \Vhen the cipher 0 is selected, the movement of the switch-arm 152 is still longer, owing to the increased value of the time constant of the electrical signal received, and the brush reaches the contact 165 and closes a circuit through the conductor 194:, which energizes the other half of the coils of the solenoid 121, the returncircuit being through conductors 183 181, &c., as before.

Should the arm 152 travel through a longer are than any of those just described and the contact-brush 156 pass beyond the contact 165,

the contact-brush coming into contact with segment 166 practically short-circuits the armature 2 of the motor while the current from the source of energy is flowing through the lield-coil 2. This destroys the function of the motor to convert electrical energy into work, but causes the kinetic energy stored in the ar mature to generate an electric current which, flowing from the armature 2 through resistance-coil 215, (or switch 195 and point 213,) conductors 307, 306, and 303, switch 152, brush 156, contact 166, conductor 309, and resistance 310, tends to react on the armature, thus acting as a brake and suddenly stopping the armature, the suddenness of stopping depending upon the resistance in the coil 310. In this case the resistance is so adjusted that kinetic energy in the armature is not entirely counteracted by the current generated by it, thus leaving enough energy to operate the automatic switch 186, as before described. Any tendency of the motor or other parts to turn backward after stopping may be counteracted by means of a ratchetwheel placed upon one of the rotary parts and engaged by a pawl. The normal motor-circuit is from the source of energy 189 through conductors 300 and 302, switch-point 185, automatic switch 186, conductor 18%, field-coils 2, armature 2. regulating-switch 195, (which will be hereinafter described,) conductors 307, 306, and 301 to the source of energy 189.

After each make of the circuit there is a break the length of which varies according as it is desired to indicate the ordinary interruption of the circuit after transmission of an electrical signal component of a code character or an extra space in a code character, a space between code characters or a word-space coming at the end of a series of code characters. The ordinary interruption after each electrical signal component is received is the shortest and in this case is determined by contact 167 of the segment 157, it being clear from the previous description of the construction and operation of the clutch mechanism controlled by the electromagnet 5 that the switch-arm 151 is caused to move each time that the circuit is broken. The various contacts 167, 168, 169, 170, and 171 correspond to difl'erent spaces, and all of these contacts govern branches of a local circuit preferably controlled directly by the source of energy or battery 189 and are not governed by current in the circuit to the receiving instrument. In fact, all of the eleetrically-operated elements governed by breaks in the circuit to said instrument are dependent upon the mechanical operation of the switch 151 resulting from the coupling of such switch to the shaft 11 when the armature of the electromagnet 5 is retracted by its spring -18. If the break is the ordinary one, the brush 155 closes a circuit through the arm 151 and the conductors 303 and 301 to the battery 189, from which the circuit is byway of conductors 300 and 302 to the switch-point 185, automatic switch 186, (this switch being operated by both switcharms 151 and 152, as before described and as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 3,) conductors- 184, 308, and 198 to the electromagnet 74 and conductor 199 back to contact 167. This electromagnet 74, as before stated, controls the group-selecting operation and when thus energized shifts the group-selector to a near group position. When an extra space occurs in a code character, as is frequently the case, an extra feed movement may be imparted to the group-selector by energizing the electromagnet 74 a second time, this being done in the present case by providing a second contact 168, insulated from the contact 167, so that the brush 155 makes the circuit to said electromagnet twice when it is influenced by a longer break than the ordinary one between dots and dashes. After each code character has been received and the corresponding language character printed a longer space is required, and it is made use of to control -the letter-spacing and printing functions of the apparatus. As the letter-spacing should take place after printing, the contact 169 preferably controls the printing-magnet 132, and the letter-spacing is controlled indirectly, it being effected, as before described, by the platen, which on the energization of the printing-magnet 132 has its working stroke and simultaneously indicates the letter-space feed, but does not actually operate the feedrolls until its return stroke. The circuit from the contact-brush 155 for controlling the printing operation is substantially the same as that just described, except that from the return-conductor 308 the current passes by way of conductor 200 through the printing-electromagnet 132 and the contact 169.

1 Several other operations which it is desirable to effect at substantially the same time as the letter-space function may be governed by a make and-break wheel 201, moving in unison with and preferably secured to the shaft of the feed-roll 134. This make-andbreak wheel has the same number of contacts and gaps or insulating-points as there are teeth in the ratchet-wheel 135,v mounted on said feed-roll, in order that the circuit controlled by said make-and-break wheel may be first made and then broken every time the feed-roll is turned one step to feed the paper a distance representing the space between letters. The devices which are controlled by this make-and-break wheel are the electro magnet 110, governing the return of the type- Wheel to its zero position after the type has been located and printed, the electromagnet 78, which releases the group-selector and permits it to return to its initial position after each code character has been received, and the electromagnet 119, which releases the holding-pawl117 and permits the lever 115 to return to its normal position after each operation thereof to bring one of the miscellaneous characters represented by the longest I parallel, the opposite sides of these electromagnets being connected to the contact-arm 203 of the make-and-break device, which is normally opposite a gap or insulating-point of the wheel 201. The hubof this wheel is connected by a conductor 305 to conductors 307, 306, and 301, through which the circuit is completed. 1t will be evident that all of the three electromagnets just described will be operated simultaneously at each turning of the make-and-break wheel 201.

A longer space than any of those before described is necessary for the space between words, and this word-space is represented by the contact 170. When a space of this length occurs in a telegraphic message, the brush 155 reaches the contact 170 and closes a circuit which is substantially the same as those before described with respect to the electromagnets 7 4 and 132, except that from thereturn-conductor 308 the current passes through a conductor 205 and the electromagnet 144, before described, to said contact 170. This electromagnet 144 indicates a greater feed than that indicated by the magnet 132, (preferably a feed twice as great,) and the actual movement of the feed-roll 134 is accomplished by the spring 142. At the same time the make-and-break wheel 201 is turned and causes the energization of electromagnets 110, 78, and 119 and the operation of the parts controlled thereby; but these are merely additional operations assuring the return of the type-wheel, the group-selector, and the lever 115 to their normal positions and do not interfere with the movements of any of the other parts. Should the switch 151 travel onto the contact 171, it will break the motorcircuit in the manner before described by short-circuiting the armature and raising the arm of the automatic switch 186.

In addition to the devices hereinbefore described I prefer to employ suitable means for governing the operation of the motor, so as to maintain a uniform speed of rotation of its armature. This I accomplish in the present case by providing a regulator which operates substantially on the principle of a mechanical governor and also by employing in connection therewith a regulating-switch governed by the operation of said mechanical regulator. The governor or mechanical regulator may be of any suitable construction, but consists in this case of a plurality of resilient strips 206, secured at their ends to a pair of end pieces 207 and 208, the formerot' which is fixed to the shaft 3 and the latter of which is fastened to a sleeve 209, mounted to slide on said shaft. Weights 210 are attached to the strips 206, preferably at their centers. As the shaft 23 rotates these weights tend to fly out from the shaft, and the higher the speed the greater will be the movement of said weights, and hence the greater the resistance to such rapid rotation, this regulator form rotation of the armature-shaft. As these weights fly outward of course the hub 208 and the sleeve 209 move inward toward the motor, and this movement is made use of to control a regulating-switch 195, pivoted on the upright 12. This switch normally rests on a contact 213, and hence normally closes the motor-circuit through the path hereinloefore described-that is. through the whole length of the regulating-switch 195. When, however. the hub 208 and the sleeve 209 move inward. the regulating-switch follows them and breaks the circuit at 213 and rests against the end of the sleeve 209, which constitutes a mechanical stop for the regulating-switch. Another path through a resistance 215, as seen in said figure, is presented for the current when contact is broken at 213, and hence this regulator and its switch not only tend to keep the armaturespeed constant, butalso slow down the same very materially in case of a sudden abnormal acceleration in the speed, this slowing down being due to the passage of the current through said extra resistance 'hat I claim is 1. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of character-indicatingdevices, and a translating-receiver common to said devices and controlling them selectively in accordance with the combinations of receiver-influencing signals representing their respective code characters and having means for selectively converting each signal of a code having signals of dili'erent lengths for various positions of a code character into two movements one of which is characteristic of the length and the other of which is characteristic of the position of such signal.

2. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of character-recording devices. and a translating-receiver common to said devices and controlling them selectively in accordance with the combinations of receiver-influencing signals representing their respective code characters and having means for selectively converting each signal of a code having signals of different lengths for various positions of a code character into two movements one of which is characteristic of the length and the other of which is characteristic of the position of such signal.

3. A printing-telegrapl1 instrument, comprising a set of types, and a translating-receiver common to said types and controlling them selectively in accordance with the combinations of receiver-inlluencing signals representing their respective code characters and having means for selectively converting each signal of a code having signals of different lengths for various positions of a code character into two movements one of which is characteristic of the length and the other of thus operating in all respects substantially as a mechanical governor for maintaining a uniwhich is characteristic of the position of such signal.

4. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of character-indicating devices, and a translating-receiver constructed and operative to transform the combinations of receiver-influencing signals representing the respective code characters of said devices into a plurality of dilferent movements representing said dcvices and controlling them selectively said receiver having means for selectively converting each signal of a code having signals of ditl'erent lengths for various positions of a code character into two movements one of which is characteristic of the length and the other of which is characteristic of the position of such signal.

5. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of character-indicating devices, and a translating-receiver embodying a pair of reciprocally-operative elements the working stroke of one of which is controlled by the makes and the working stroke of the other of which is controlled by the breaks in the circuit to the receiver and controlling said devices selectively in accordance with the combinations of signals representing their respective code characters said receiver having means for selectively converting each signal of a code having signals of different lengths for various positions of a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such signal.

6. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of chameter-indicating devices, and a translating-receiver embodying a pair of reciprocallyoperative variably-movable elements the working stroke of one of which is controlled by variable makes and the working stroke of the other of which is controlled by variable breaks in the circuit to the receiver and controlling said devices selectively in accordance with the combinations of signals representing their respective code characters and having means for selectively converting each signal of a code having signals of different lengths for various positions of a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such signal.

'7. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of character-indicatingde- V vices, and a translating-receiver embodying a pair of reciprocally-operative elements each movable about a center and the working stroke IIO of one of which is controlled by the makes and the working stroke of the other of which is controlled by the breaks in the circuit to the receiver and controlling said devices seing signals of different lengths for various positions of a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such signal.

8. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of character-indicating devices,-and a translating-receiver embodying a pair of reciprocally-operative elements each oscillatory about a center and the working stroke of one of which is controlled by the makes and the working stroke of the other of which is controlled by the breaks in the circuit to the receiver and controlling said devices selectively in accordance with the combinations of signals representing their respective code characters said receiver embodying means for selectively converting each signal of a code having signals of different lengths for various positionsof a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such signal.

9. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of character-indicating devices, and a translating-receiver embodying a.

pair of reciprocally-operative elements each movable about a common center and the Working stroke of one of which is controlled by the makes and the working stroke of the other of which is controlled by the breaks in the circuit to the receiver and controlling said devices selectively in accordance with the combinations of signals representing their respective code characters said receiver having means for selectively converting each signal of a code having signals of different lengths for various positions of a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such signal.

10. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of character-recording devices, and character-selecting components corresponding in number to the maximum number of signal components of any of the code characters representing said recording devices 7 and controlled selectively by the signal components in combinations corresponding to those of the code characters each characterselecting component being responsive only to, and characteristic of the position of, the corresponding signal component of a code'having signals of different lengths for various positions of a code'character. I

11. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising aiplurality of character-recordingdevices, and a series of character-selecting components corresponding in number and successive positions to the maximum number of signal components of any of the code characters representing said recording devices and controlled selectively by' the signal components in combinations corresponding to those of the code characters each character-selecting component being responsive only to, and characteristic of the position of, the corresponding signal component of a code having signals of difierent lengths for Various positions of a code character.

12. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of character-recording devices, groups of difierential character-selectingcomponents which groups correspond in number to the maximum number of signal components of any of the code characters representing said recording devices, a group-selector, and a component-selector controlling the character-selecting components of each group and constituting With said group-selector means for selectively converting each sig nal component of a code having signals of diiierent lengths for various positions of a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such signal component.

13. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising in combination Witha plurality of character-recording devices; the following complementary elements, ViZ.groups of differential character-selecting components corresponding in number to the maximum number of signal componentsof any of the code characters representing said recording devices, and a group-selectorone of which elements is controlled by the signal components; and a component-selector also governed by said signal components and controlling the character-selecting components of each group and constituting with said groupselector means for selectively converting each signal component of a code having signals of different lengths for various positions of a code character into movements'characteristic of the length and position of such signal component.

M. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising in combination with a plurality of character-recording devices; the following complementary elements, viz.a series of groups of difl'erential character selecting components which groups correspond in number and successive positions to the maximum number of signal components of any of the code characters representing said recording devices, and a group-se1ector-one of which elements has a step-by-step movement controlled by the signal components; and a component-selector also governed by said signal components and controlling the character-selecting components of each group and constituting with said group-selector means for selectively converting each signal component of a code having signals of difierent lengths for various positions of a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such signal component.

l5. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising in combination with a plurality of' character-recording devices; the following complementary elements, viz. groups of differential character-selectingcomponents which groups correspond in number to the maximum number of signal components of' any of the code characters representing said recording devices, and a group-selectorone of which elements is controlled by the signal components; and component-selecting means controlling the character-selecting components of each group and governed by signal components of different values and constituting with said group-selector means for selectively converting each signal component of a code having signals of different lengths for various positions of a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such signal component.

16. A receivingtelegraphinstrument comprising in combination with a plurality of character-recording devices; the following complementary elements: viz.groups of differential character-selecting components corresponding in number to the maximum number of dot and dash components of' any of the code characters representing said recording devices, and a group-selector-one of which elements is controlled by said dot and dash components; and component-selecting means controlling the character-selecting components of each group and governed by said dot and dash components and constituting with said groupselector means for selectively converting each dot or dash of a code having dots and dashes for various positions of a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such dot or dash.

17. A receivingtelegraph instrument comprising in combination with a plurality of character-recording devices; the followingcomple mentary elements, v iz. groups of d ifferential characterselecting components corresponding in number to the maximum number of signal components of any of the code characters representing said recording devices, and a group-selector-one of' which elements is controlled by the signal components; and component-selecting means controlling the cliaracter'selecting components of each group and embodying an automatic componentcontroller having differential movements governed respectively by signal components of different values and constituting with said groupselector means for selectively converting each dot or dash of a code having dots and dashes for various positions of a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such dot or dash.

18. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising in combination with a plurality of' character-recording devices; the followingcomplementary elements, viz.- -gronps of di ffcrential character-selecting components corresponding in number to the maximum number of signal components of' any of the code characters representing said recording devices, and a group-selector-one of which elements is controlled by the signal components; and component-selecting means controlling the character-selecting components of each group and embodying an automatic controllingswitch having differential movements governed respectively by signal components of different values and constituting with said group-selector means for selectively converting each dot or dash of a code having dots and dashes for different positions of a code character into movements characteristic of the length and position of such dot or dash.

19. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising in combination with a plurality of character-recording devices; the following coinplementary elements, viz.-groups of differential character-selecting components corresponding in number to the maximum number of signal components of any of the code characters representing said recording devices, and a groupselectorone of which elements is controlled by the signal components; and component-selecting means controlling the character-selecting components of each group and embodying an automatic controlling-switch having a variable throw the length of which is determined by the time constant of each signal componentof' a code having signals of' different lengths for various positions of' a cod character.

20. A receiving telegraph instrument comprisingin combination with a plurality of character-recording devices; the following complementary elements, viz.-groups of differential character-selecting components corresponding in number to the maximum number of signal components of any of the code characters representing said recording devices, and a groupselector--one of which elements is controlled by the signal components; and component-selecting means controlling the characterselecting components of each group and embodying an automatic oscillatory controlling-switch movable from a Zero-point through arcs of different lengths determined by the time constants of the respective signal components.

21. A receiving telegraph instrument comprising in combination with a plurality of character-recording devices, groups of differential character-selecting components which groups correspond in number to the maximum number of signal components of any of the code characters representing said recording devices, and a pair of' selectors one of which constitutes a group-selector and both of' which constitute componen t-selectors controlling the character-selecting components of' each group IIO 

